Navigation system for cardiac therapies

ABSTRACT

An image guided catheter navigation system for navigating a region of a patient includes an imaging device, a tracking device, a controller, and a display. The imaging device generates images of the region of the patient. The tracking device tracks the location of the catheter in the region of the patient. The controller superimposes an icon representing the catheter onto the images generated from the imaging device based upon the location of the catheter. The display displays the image of the region with the catheter superimposed onto the image at the current location of the catheter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to image guided surgery, and more specifically, to systems and methods for using one or more medical images to assist in navigating an instrument through internal body structures, in particular for navigating a catheter in a moving body structure, such as the heart, during a surgical procedure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Image guided medical and surgical procedures utilize patient images obtained prior to or during a medical procedure to guide a physician performing the procedure. Recent advances in imaging technology, especially in imaging technologies that produce highly-detailed, computer-generated three dimensional images, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or isocentric C-arm fluoroscopic imaging has increased the interest in image guided medical procedures.

At present, cardiac catheterization procedures are typically performed with the aid of fluoroscopic images. Two-dimensional fluoroscopic images taken intra-procedurally allow a physician to visualize the location of a catheter being advanced through cardiovascular structures. However, use of such fluoroscopic imaging throughout a procedure exposes both the patient and the operating room staff to radiation, as well as exposes the patient to contrast agents. Therefore, the number of fluoroscopic images taken during a procedure is preferably limited to reduce the radiation exposure to the patient and staff.

An image guided surgical navigation system that enables the physician to see the location of an instrument relative to a patient's anatomy, without the need to acquire real-time fluoroscopic images throughout the surgical procedure is generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,207, entitled “Navigational Guidance Via Computer-Assisted Fluoroscopic Imaging,” issued Oct. 22, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In this system, representations of surgical instruments are overlaid on pre-acquired fluoroscopic images of a patient based on the position of the instruments determined by a tracking sensor.

Other types of procedures include the use of electro physiologic mapping catheters to map the heart based on measured electrical potentials. Such mapping catheters are useful in identifying an area of tissue that is either conducting normally or abnormally, however, some mapping catheters may not aid in actually guiding a medical device to a targeted tissue area for medical treatment.

Other procedures that could benefit from a navigation system include cardiac lead placement. Cardiac lead placement is important in achieving proper stimulation or accurate sensing at a desired cardiac location. Endocardial or coronary vein leads are generally implanted with the use of a guide catheter and/or a guide wire or stylet to achieve proper placement of the lead. A coronary vein lead may be placed using a multi-step procedure wherein a guide catheter is advanced into the coronary sinus ostium and a guide wire is advanced further through the coronary sinus and great cardiac vein to a desired cardiac vein branch. Because the tip of a guide wire is generally flexible and may be preshaped in a bend or curve, the tip of the guide wire can be steered into a desired venous branch. The guide wire tip is directed with a steerable guide catheter, and with the appropriate pressure, it is manipulated into the desired vein branch. A cardiac lead may therefore be advanced to a desired implant location using a guide wire extending entirely through the lead and out its distal end. Cardiac leads generally need to be highly flexible in order to withstand flexing motion caused by the beating heart without fracturing. A stiff stylet or guide wire provides a flexible lead with the stiffness needed to advance it through a venous pathway. Leads placed with the use of a stylet or guide wire are sometimes referred to as “over-the-wire” leads. Once the lead is placed in a desired location, the guide wire and guide catheter may be removed. A guide wire placed implantable lead is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,280, entitled “Guide wire Placed Implantable Lead With Tip Seal,” issued Feb. 20, 2001. A coronary vein lead having a flexible tip and which may be adapted for receiving a stylet or guide wire is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,160, entitled “Left ventricular access lead for heart failure pacing”, issued Aug. 10, 1999, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Advancement of a guide catheter or an over-the-wire lead through a vessel pathway and through cardiac structures requires considerable skill and can be a time-consuming task. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an image guided navigation system that allows the location of a guide catheter being advanced within the cardiovascular structures for lead placement to be followed in either two or three dimensional space in real time. It is also desirable to provide an image guided navigation system that assists in navigating an instrument, such as a catheter, through a moving body structure or any type of soft tissue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A navigation system is provided including a catheter carrying multiple localization sensors, a sensor interface, a user interface, a controller, and a visual display. Aspects of the present invention allow for the location of a catheter advanced within an internal space within the human body, for example within the cardiovascular structures, to be identified in two, three or four dimensions in real time. Further aspects of the present invention allow for accurate mapping of a tissue or organ, such as the heart or other soft tissue, and/or precise identification of a desired location for delivering a medical lead or other medical device or therapy while reducing the exposure to fluoroscopy normally required during conventional catheterization procedures. These types of therapies include, but are not limited to, drug delivery therapy, cell delivery therapy, ablation, stenting, or sensing of various physiological parameters with the appropriate type of sensor. In cardiac applications, methods included in the present invention compensate for the effects of respiration and the beating heart that can normally complicate mapping or diagnostic data. Aspects of the present invention may be tailored to improve the outcomes of numerous cardiac therapies as well as non-cardiac therapies, such as neurological, oncological, or other medical therapies, including lung, liver, prostate and other soft tissue therapies, requiring the use of a catheter or other instrument at a precise location.

The steerable catheter provided by the present invention features at least one or more, location sensors located near the distal end of an elongated catheter body. The location sensors are spaced axially from each other and are electromagnetic detectors. An electromagnetic source is positioned externally to the patient for inducing a magnetic field, which causes voltage to be developed on the location sensors. The location sensors are each electrically coupled to twisted pair conductors, which extend through the catheter body to the proximal catheter end. Twisted pair conductors provide electromagnetic shielding of the conductors, which prevents voltage induction along the conductors when exposed to the magnetic flux produced by the electromagnetic source. Alternatively, the sensors and the source may be reversed where the catheter emits a magnetic field that is sensed by external sensors.

By sensing and processing the voltage signals from each location sensor, the location of the catheter tip with respect to the external sources and the location of each sensor with respect to one another may be determined. The present invention allows a two- or three-dimensional reconstruction of several centimeters of the distal portion of the catheter body in real time. Visualization of the shape and position of a distal portion of the catheter makes the advancement of the catheter to a desired position more intuitive to the user. The system may also provide a curve fitting algorithm that is selectable based upon the type of catheter used and based upon the flexibility of the catheter. This enables estimated curved trajectories of the catheter to be displayed to assist the user.

In an alternative embodiment, the location sensors may be other types of sensors, such as conductive localization sensors, fiberoptic localization sensors, or any other type of location sensor.

The catheter body is formed of a biocompatible polymer having stiffness properties that allow torsional or linear force applied to a handle at the proximal end to be transferred to the distal end in such a way that the catheter may be advanced in a desired direction. The catheter body includes multiple lumens for carrying conductors to sensors located at or near the distal end of the catheter and a guide wire extending from a proximal handle to the distal catheter tip. The guide wire aids in steering the catheter through a venous pathway, or other body lumens, and can be manipulated at its proximal end to cause bending or curving of the distal catheter tip.

In addition to the location sensors, the catheter may be equipped with one or more sensors for providing useful clinical data related to the catheter position or for identifying a target tissue site at which a medical device or medical therapy will be delivered. Additional sensors may include electrodes for sensing depolarization signals occurring in excitable tissue such as the heart, nerve or brain. In one embodiment, for use in cardiac applications, at least one electrode is provided at or near the distal end of the catheter for sensing internal cardiac electrogram (EGM) signals. In other embodiments, an absolute pressure sensor may be provided on the catheter body near the distal end to monitor blood pressure. In still other embodiments, the catheter may be equipped with other sensors of physiological signals such as oxygen saturation or motion sensors.

The catheter body further provides a lumen through which a medical device or medical therapy may be delivered. For example, a medical lead for cardiac pacing or cardioversion or defibrillation may be introduced through a lumen of the catheter body. Alternatively, pharmaceutical agents, ablation catheters, cell therapies, genetic therapies, or other medical devices or therapies may be delivered through a lumen of the catheter body after it has been located at a targeted tissue site. The system may also provide a map identifying the delivery of the therapy, which can be annotated on 2D, 3D or 4D images or provided as a graphic representation of the cell or drug delivery. These distribution maps show how the drug, cell or other therapies' are distributed on the heart or other soft tissue.

The location sensor conductors, as well as conductors coupled to other physiological sensors present, are coupled to a sensor interface for filtering, amplifying, and digitizing the sensed signals. The digitized signals are provided via a data bus to a control system, preferably embodied as a computer. Programs executed by the control system process the sensor data for determining the location of the location sensors relative to a reference source. A determined location is superimposed on a two- or three-dimensional image that is displayed on a monitor. A user-interface, such as a keyboard, mouse or pointer, is provided for entering operational commands or parameters.

In one embodiment, a sensed EGM signal and/or an absolute pressure signal may be used in conjunction with location sensor data to establish and verify the location of the distal end of the catheter as it is advanced through the cardiovascular system. Characteristic EGM or pressure signals that are known to occur at different locations in the heart allow for location reference points to be recognized for further verification of the catheter location. The catheter may then be maneuvered through the cardiovascular structures with the location of the distal portion of the catheter superimposed on the heart model display as an icon or other soft tissue models.

In one embodiment, the catheter may also be provided with an automatic catheter-steering mechanism. Thermal shape-memory metal film may be incorporated in the distal portion of the catheter body. Selected heating of the metal film causes bending or curving of the catheter so that it may automatically be steered to a desired location

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a catheter navigation system according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are diagrams representing undistorted and distorted views from a fluoroscopic C-arm imaging device;

FIG. 3 is a logic block diagram illustrating a method for navigating a catheter during cardiac therapy;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are side partial cross-sectional views of a navigable catheter employed in cardiac therapies according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an axial cross-section view of the navigable catheter shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b;

FIG. 6 is a logic block diagram illustrating a method for navigating and accessing a statistical atlas and employing the atlas for target suggestions according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a figure of a display illustrating data available for a landmark accessible by a user of the system;

FIG. 8 is a figure of a display illustrating an adjustable icon or probe diameter;

FIG. 9 is a figure of the display illustrating a straight projection along a direction of a first sensor in the navigable catheter;

FIG. 10 is a figure of the display illustrating a splined projection or trajectory based on a shape of a curve of the navigable catheter;

FIG. 11 is a logic block diagram illustrating a method for navigating the coronary sinus region of the heart; and

FIG. 12 is an image of a three-dimensional heart model used for cardiac therapy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. As indicated above, the present invention is directed at providing improved, non-line-of-site image-guided navigation of an instrument, such as a catheter, that may be used for physiological monitoring, delivering a medical therapy, or guiding the delivery of a medical device in an internal body space, such as the heart or any other region of the body.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an image-guided catheter navigation system 10 for use in non-line-of-site navigating of a catheter during cardiac therapy or any other soft tissue therapy. It should further be noted that the navigation system 10 may be used to navigate any other type of instrument or delivery system, including guide wires, needles, drug delivery systems, and cell delivery systems. Moreover, these instruments may be used for cardiac therapy or any other therapy in the body or be used to navigate or map any other regions of the body, such as moving body structures. However, each region of the body poses unique requirements to navigate, as disclosed herein. For example, the navigation system 10 addresses multiple cardiac therapies, including drug delivery, cell transplantation, electrophysiology ablations or transmyocardial vascularization (TMR).

The navigation system 10 includes an imaging device 12 that is used to acquire pre-operative or real-time images of a patient 14. The imaging device 12 is a fluoroscopic C-arm x-ray imaging device that includes a C-arm 16, an x-ray source 18, an x-ray receiving section 20, a calibration and tracking target 22 and optional radiation sensors 24. The calibration and tracking target 22 includes calibration markers 26 (see FIGS. 2 a-2 b), further discussed herein. A C-arm controller 28 captures the x-ray images received at the receiving section 20, and stores the images for later use. The C-arm controller 28 may also control the rotation of the C-arm 16. For example, the C-arm 16 may move in the direction of arrow 30 or rotate about the long axis of the patient, allowing anterior or lateral views of the patient 14 to be imaged. Each of these movements involve rotation about a mechanical axis 32 of the C-arm 16. In this example, the long axis of the patient 14 is substantially in line with the mechanical axis 32 of the C-arm 16. This enables the C-arm 16 to be rotated relative to the patient 14, allowing images of the patient 14 to be taken from multiple directions or about multiple planes. An example of a fluoroscopic C-arm x-ray imaging device 12 is the “Series 9600 Mobile Digital Imaging System,” from OEC Medical Systems, Inc., of Salt Lake City, Utah. Other exemplary fluoroscopes include bi-plane fluoroscopic systems, ceiling fluoroscopic systems, cath-lab fluoroscopic systems, fixed C-arm fluoroscopic systems, etc.

In operation, the imaging device 12 generates x-rays from the x-ray source 18 that propagate through the patient 14 and calibration and/or tracking target 22, into the x-ray receiving section 20. The receiving section 20 generates an image representing the intensities of the received x-rays. Typically, the receiving section 20 includes an image intensifier that first converts the x-rays to visible light and a charge coupled device (CCD) video camera that converts the visible light into digital images. Receiving section 20 may also be a digital device that converts x-rays directly to digital images, thus potentially avoiding distortion introduced by first converting to visible light. With this type of digital C-arm, which is generally a flat panel device, the calibration and/or tracking target 22 and the calibration process discussed below may be eliminated. Also, the calibration process may be eliminated or not used at all for cardiac therapies. Alternatively, the imaging device 12 may only take a single image with the calibration and tracking target 22 in place. Thereafter, the calibration and tracking target 22 may be removed from the line-of-sight of the imaging device 12.

Two dimensional fluoroscopic images taken by the imaging device 12 are captured and stored in the C-arm controller 28. These images are forwarded from the C-arm controller 28 to a controller or work station 34 having a display 36 and a user interface 38. The work station 34 provides facilities for displaying on the display 36, saving, digitally manipulating, or printing a hard copy of the received images. The user interface 38, which may be a keyboard, mouse, touch pen, touch screen or other suitable device, allows a physician or user to provide inputs to control the imaging device 12, via the C-arm controller 28, or adjust the display settings of the display 36. The work station 34 may also direct the C-arm controller 28 to adjust the rotational axis 32 of the C-arm 16 to obtain various two-dimensional images along different planes in order to generate representative two-dimensional and three-dimensional images. When the x-ray source 18 generates the x-rays that propagate to the x-ray receiving section 20, the radiation sensors 24 sense the presence of radiation, which is forwarded to the C-arm controller 28, to identify whether or not the imaging device 12 is actively imaging. This information is also transmitted to a coil array controller 48, further discussed herein. Alternatively, a person or physician may manually indicate when the imaging device 12 is actively imaging or this function can be built into the x-ray source 18, x-ray receiving section 20, or the control computer 28.

Fluoroscopic C-arm imaging devices 12 that do not include a digital receiving section 20 generally require the calibration and/or tracking target 22. This is because the raw images generated by the receiving section 20 tend to suffer from undesirable distortion caused by a number of factors, including inherent image distortion in the image intensifier and external electromagnetic fields. An empty undistorted or ideal image and an empty distorted image are shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, respectively. The checkerboard shape, shown in FIG. 2 a, represents the ideal image 40 of the checkerboard arranged calibration markers 26. The image taken by the receiving section 20, however, can suffer from distortion, as illustrated by the distorted calibration marker image 42, shown in FIG. 2 b.

Intrinsic calibration, which is the process of correcting image distortion in a received image and establishing the projective transformation for that image, involves placing the calibration markers 26 in the path of the x-ray, where the calibration markers 26 are opaque or semi-opaque to the x-rays. The calibration markers 26 are rigidly arranged in pre-determined patterns in one or more planes in the path of the x-rays and are visible in the recorded images. Because the true relative position of the calibration markers 26 in the recorded images are known, the C-arm controller 28 or the work station or computer 34 is able to calculate an amount of distortion at each pixel in the image (where a pixel is a single point in the image). Accordingly, the computer or work station 34 can digitally compensate for the distortion in the image and generate a distortion-free or at least a distortion improved image 40 (see FIG. 2 a). A more detailed explanation of exemplary methods for performing intrinsic calibration are described in the references: B. Schuele, et al., “Correction of Image Intensifier Distortion for Three-Dimensional Reconstruction,” presented at SPIE Medical Imaging, San Diego, Calif., 1995; G. Champleboux, et al., “Accurate Calibration of Cameras and Range Imaging Sensors: the NPBS Method,” Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Nice, France, May, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,845, entitled “System And Methods For The Reduction And Elimination Of Image Artifacts In The Calibration Of X-Ray Imagers,” issued Sep. 12, 2000, the contents of which are each hereby incorporated by reference.

While the fluoroscopic C-arm imaging device 12 is shown in FIG. 1, any other alternative imaging modality may also be used. For example, isocentric fluoroscopy, bi-plane fluoroscopy, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), high frequency ultrasound (HIFU), optical coherence tomography (OCT), intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS), 2D, 3D or 4D ultrasound, or intraoperative CT or MRI may also be used to acquire pre-operative or real-time images or image data of the patient 14. The images may also be obtained and displayed in two or three dimensions. In more advanced forms, four-dimensional surface rendering of the heart or other regions of the body may also be achieved by incorporating heart data or other soft tissue data from an atlas map or from pre-operative image data captured by MRI, CT, or echocardiography modalities. Image datasets from hybrid modalities, such as positron emission tomography (PET) combined with CT, or single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) combined with CT, could also provide functional image data superimposed onto anatomical data to be used to confidently reach target sights within the heart or other areas of interest. It should further be noted that the fluoroscopic C-arm imaging device 12, as shown in FIG. 1, provides a virtual bi-plane image using a single-head C-arm fluoroscope 12 by simply rotating the C-arm 16 about at least two planes, which could be orthogonal planes to generate two-dimensional images that can be converted to three-dimensional volumetric images. By acquiring images in more than one plane, an icon representing the location of a catheter or other instrument, introduced and advanced in the patient 14, may be superimposed in more than one view on display 36 allowing simulated bi-plane or even multi-plane views, including two and three-dimensional views.

The navigation system 10 further includes an electromagnetic navigation or tracking system 44 that includes a transmitter coil array 46, the coil array controller 48, a navigation probe interface 50, an electromagnetic catheter 52 and a dynamic reference frame 54. It should further be noted that the entire tracking system 44 or parts of the tracking system 44 may be incorporated into the imaging device 12, including the work station 34 and radiation sensors 24. Incorporating the tracking system 44 will provide an integrated imaging and tracking system. Any combination of these components may also be incorporated into the imaging system 12, which again can include a fluoroscopic C-arm imaging device or any other appropriate imaging device.

The transmitter coil array 46 is shown attached to the receiving section 20 of the C-arm 16. However, it should be noted that the transmitter coil array 46 may also be positioned at any other location as well. For example, the transmitter coil array 46 may be positioned at the x-ray source 18, within the OR table 56 positioned below the patient 14, on siderails associated with the table 56, or positioned on the patient 14 in proximity to the region being navigated, such as on the patient's chest. The transmitter coil array 46 includes a plurality of coils that are each operable to generate distinct electromagnetic fields into the navigation region of the patient 14, which is sometimes referred to as patient space. Representative electromagnetic systems are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,820, entitled “Position Location System,” issued Jun. 22, 1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,939, entitled “Method and System for Navigating a Catheter Probe,” issued Jan. 14, 1997, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The transmitter coil array 46 is controlled or driven by the coil array controller 48. The coil array controller 48 drives each coil in the transmitter coil array 46 in a time division multiplex or a frequency division multiplex manner. In this regard, each coil may be driven separately at a distinct time or all of the coils may be driven simultaneously with each being driven by a different frequency. Upon driving the coils in the transmitter coil array 46 with the coil array controller 48, electromagnetic fields are generated within the patient 14 in the area where the medical procedure is being performed, which is again sometimes referred to as patient space. The electromagnetic fields generated in the patient space induces currents in sensors 58 positioned in the catheter 52, further discussed herein. These induced signals from the catheter 52 are delivered to the navigation probe interface 50 and subsequently forwarded to the coil array controller 48. The navigation probe interface 50 provides all the necessary electrical isolation for the navigation system 10. The navigation probe interface 50 also includes amplifiers, filters and buffers required to directly interface with the sensors 58 in catheter 52. Alternatively, the catheter 52 may employ a wireless communications channel as opposed to being coupled directly to the navigation probe interface 50.

The catheter 52, as will be described in detail below, is equipped with at least one, and generally multiple, localization sensors 58. The catheter 54 is also generally a steerable catheter that includes a handle at a proximal end and the multiple location sensors 58 fixed to the catheter body and spaced axially from one another along the distal segment of the catheter 52. The catheter 52, as shown in FIG. 1 includes four localization sensors 58. The localization sensors 58 are generally formed as electromagnetic receiver coils, such that the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitter coil array 46 induces current in the electromagnetic receiver coils or sensors 58. The catheter 52 may also be equipped with one or more sensors, which are operable to sense various physiological signals. For example, the catheter 52 may be provided with electrodes for sensing myopotentials or action potentials. An absolute pressure sensor may also be included, as well as other electrode sensors. The catheter 52 may also be provided with an open lumen, further discussed herein, to allow the delivery of a medical device or pharmaceutical agent. For example, the catheter 52 may be used as a guide catheter for deploying a medical lead, such as a cardiac lead for use in cardiac pacing and/or defibrillation or tissue ablation. The open lumen may alternatively be used to locally deliver pharmaceutical agents or genetic therapies.

In an alternate embodiment, the electromagnetic sources or generators may be located within the catheter 52 and one or more receiver coils may be provided externally to the patient 14 forming a receiver coil array similar to the transmitter coil array 46. In this regard, the sensor coils 58 would generate electromagnetic fields, which would be received by the receiving coils in the receiving coil array similar to the transmitter coil array 46. Other types of localization sensors may also be used, which may include an emitter, which emits energy, such as light, sound, or electromagnetic radiation, and a receiver that detects the energy at a position away from the emitter. This change in energy, from the emitter to the receiver, is used to determine the location of the receiver relative to the emitter. An additional representative alternative localization and tracking system is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,126, entitled “Catheter Location System and Method,” issued Nov. 9, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, the localization system may be a hybrid system that includes components from various systems.

The dynamic reference frame 54 of the electromagnetic tracking system 44 is also coupled to the navigation probe interface 50 to forward the information to the coil array controller 48. The dynamic reference frame 54 is a small magnetic field detector that is designed to be fixed to the patient 14 adjacent to the region being navigated so that any movement of the patient 14 is detected as relative motion between the transmitter coil array 46 and the dynamic reference frame 54. This relative motion is forwarded to the coil array controller 48, which updates registration correlation and maintains accurate navigation, further discussed herein. The dynamic reference frame 54 can be configured as a pair of orthogonally oriented coils, each having the same center or may be configured in any other non-coaxial coil configuration. The dynamic reference frame 54 may be affixed externally to the patient 14, adjacent to the region of navigation, such as on the patient's chest, as shown in FIG. 1 or on the patient's back. The dynamic reference frame 54 can be affixed to the patient's skin, by way of a stick-on adhesive patch. The dynamic reference frame 54 may also be removably attachable to fiducial markers 60 also positioned on the patient's body and further discussed herein.

Alternatively, the dynamic reference frame 54 may be internally attached, for example, to the wall of the patient's heart or other soft tissue using a temporary lead that is attached directly to the heart. This provides increased accuracy since this lead will track the regional motion of the heart. Gating, as further discussed herein, will also increase the navigational accuracy of the system 10. An exemplary dynamic reference frame 54 and fiducial marker 60, is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,485, entitled “Registration of Human Anatomy Integrated for Electromagnetic Localization,” issued Apr. 30, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference. It should further be noted that multiple dynamic reference frames 54 may also be employed. For example, an external dynamic reference frame 54 may be attached to the chest of the patient 14, as well as to the back of the patient 14. Since certain regions of the body may move more than others due to motions of the heart or the respiratory system, each dynamic reference frame 54 may be appropriately weighted to increase accuracy even further. In this regard, the dynamic reference frame 54 attached to the back may be weighted higher than the dynamic reference frame 54 attached to the chest, since the dynamic reference frame 54 attached to the back is relatively static in motion.

The catheter and navigation system 10 further includes a gating device or an ECG or electrocardiogram 62, which is attached to the patient 14, via skin electrodes 64, and in communication with the coil array controller 48. Respiration and cardiac motion can cause movement of cardiac structures relative to the catheter 54, even when the catheter 54 has not been moved. Therefore, localization data may be acquired on a time-gated basis triggered by a physiological signal. For example, the ECG or EGM signal may be acquired from the skin electrodes 64 or from a sensing electrode included on the catheter 54 or from a separate reference probe. A characteristic of this signal, such as an R-wave peak or P-wave peak associated with ventricular or atrial depolarization, respectively, may be used as a triggering event for the coil array controller 48 to drive the coils in the transmitter coil array 46. This triggering event may also be used to gate or trigger image acquisition during the imaging phase with the imaging device 12. By time-gating the image data and/or the navigation data, the icon of the location of the catheter 52 relative to the heart at the same point in the cardiac cycle may be displayed on the display 36.

Additionally or alternatively, a sensor regarding respiration may be used to trigger data collection at the same point in the respiration cycle. Additional external sensors can also be coupled to the navigation system 10. These could include a capnographic sensor that monitors exhaled CO₂ concentration. From this, the end expiration point can be easily determined. The respiration, both ventriculated and spontaneous causes an undesirable elevation or reduction (respectively) in the baseline pressure signal. By measuring systolic and diastolic pressures at the end expiration point, the coupling of respiration noise is minimized. As an alternative to the CO₂ sensor, an airway pressure sensor can be used to determine end expiration.

Briefly, the navigation system 10 operates as follows. The navigation system 10 creates a translation map between all points in the radiological image generated from the imaging device 12 and the corresponding points in the patient's anatomy in patient space. After this map is established, whenever a tracked instrument, such as the catheter 52 or pointing device is used, the work station 34 in combination with the coil array controller 48 and the C-arm controller 28 uses the translation map to identify the corresponding point on the pre-acquired image, which is displayed on display 36. This identification is known as navigation or localization. An icon representing the localized point or instruments are shown on the display 36 within several two-dimensional image planes, as well as on three and four dimensional images and models.

To enable navigation, the navigation system 10 must be able to detect both the position of the patient's anatomy and the position of the catheter 52 or other surgical instrument. Knowing the location of these two items allows the navigation system 10 to compute and display the position of the catheter 52 in relation to the patient 14. The tracking system 44 is employed to track the catheter 52 and the anatomy simultaneously.

The tracking system 44 essentially works by positioning the transmitter coil array 46 adjacent to the patient space to generate a low-energy magnetic field generally referred to as a navigation field. Because every point in the navigation field or patient space is associated with a unique field strength, the electromagnetic tracking system 44 can determine the position of the catheter 52 by measuring the field strength at the sensor 58 location. The dynamic reference frame 54 is fixed to the patient 14 to identify the location of the patient in the navigation field. The electromagnetic tracking system 44 continuously recomputes the relative position of the dynamic reference frame 54 and the catheter 52 during localization and relates this spatial information to patient registration data to enable image guidance of the catheter 52 within the patient 14.

Patient registration is the process of determining how to correlate the position of the instrument or catheter 52 on the patient 14 to the position on the diagnostic or pre-acquired images. To register the patient 14, the physician or user will select and store particular points from the pre-acquired images and then touch the corresponding points on the patient's anatomy with a pointer probe 66. The navigation system 10 analyzes the relationship between the two sets of points that are selected and computes a match, which correlates every point in the image data with its corresponding point on the patient's anatomy or the patient space. The points that are selected to perform registration are the fiducial arrays or landmarks 60. Again, the landmarks or fiducial points 60 are identifiable on the images and identifiable and accessible on the patient 14. The landmarks 60 can be artificial landmarks 60 that are positioned on the patient 14 or anatomical landmarks that can be easily identified in the image data. The system 10 may also perform 2D to 3D registration by utilizing the acquired 2D images to register 3D volume images by use of contour algorithms, point algorithms or density comparison algorithms, as is known in the art.

In order to maintain registration accuracy, the navigation system 10 continuously tracks the position of the patient 14 during registration and navigation. This is necessary because the patient 14, dynamic reference frame 54, and transmitter coil array 46 may all move during the procedure, even when this movement is not desired. Therefore, if the navigation system 10 did not track the position of the patient 14 or area of the anatomy, any patient movement after image acquisition would result in inaccurate navigation within that image. The dynamic reference frame 54 allows the electromagnetic tracking device 44 to register and track the anatomy. Because the dynamic reference frame 54 is rigidly fixed to the patient 14, any movement of the anatomy or the transmitter coil array 46 is detected as the relative motion between the transmitter coil array 46 and the dynamic reference frame 54. This relative motion is communicated to the coil array controller 48, via the navigation probe interface 50, which updates the registration correlation to thereby maintain accurate navigation.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a logic flow diagram illustrating the operation of the navigation system 10 is set forth in further detail. First, should the imaging device 12 or the fluoroscopic C-arm imager 12 not include a digital receiving section 20, the imaging device 12 is first calibrated using the calibration process 68. The calibration process 68 begins at block 70 by generating an x-ray by the x-ray source 18, which is received by the x-ray receiving section 20. The x-ray image 70 is then captured or imported at import block 72 from the C-arm controller 28 to the work station 34. The work station 34 performs intrinsic calibration at calibration block 74, as discussed above, utilizing the calibration markers 26, shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. This results in an empty image being calibrated at block 76. This calibrated empty image is utilized for subsequent calibration and registration, further discussed herein.

Once the imaging device 12 has been calibrated, the patient 14 is positioned within the C-arm 16 between the x-ray source 18 and the x-ray receiving section 20. The navigation process begins at decision block 78 where it is determined whether or not an x-ray image of the patient 14 has been taken. If the x-ray image has not been taken, the process proceeds to block 80 where the x-ray image is generated at the x-ray source 18 and received at the x-ray receiving section 20. When the x-ray source 18 is generating x-rays, the radiation sensors 24 identified in block 82 activate to identify that the x-ray image 80 is being taken. This enables the tracking system 44 to identify where the C-arm 16 is located relative to the patient 14 when the image data is being captured.

The process then proceeds to decision block 84 where it is determined if the x-ray image acquisition will be gated to physiological activity of the patient 14. If so, the image device 12 will capture the x-ray image at this desired gating time. For example, the physiological change may be the beating heart, which is identified by EKG gating at block 86. The EKG gating enables the x-ray image acquisition to take place at the end of diastole at block 88 or at any other cycle. Diastole is the period of time between contractions of the atria or the ventricles during which blood enters the relaxed chambers from systemic circulation and the lungs. Diastole is often measured as the blood pressure at the instant of maximum cardiac relaxation. EKG gating of myocardial injections also enables optimal injection volumes and injection rates to achieve maximum cell retention. The optimal injection time period may go over one heart cycle. During the injection, relative motion of the catheter tip to the endocardial surface needs to be minimized. Conductivity electrodes at the catheter tip may be used to maintain this minimized motion. Also, gating the delivery of volumes can be used to increase or decrease the volume delivered over time (i.e., ramp-up or ramp-down during cycle). Again, the image may be gated to any physiological change like the heartbeat, respiratory functions, etc. The image acquired at block 88 is then imported to the work station 34 at block 90. If it is not desired to physiologically gate the image acquisition cycle, the process will proceed from the x-ray image block 80 directly to the image import block 90.

Once the image is received and stored in the work station 34, the process proceeds to calibration and registration at block 92. First, at decision block 94, it is determined whether the imaging device 12 has been calibrated, if so, the empty image calibration information from block 76 is provided for calibration registration at block 92. The empty image calibration information from block 76 is used to correct image distortion by establishing projective transformations using known calibration marker locations (see FIGS. 2 a and 2 b). Calibration registration 92 also requires tracking of the dynamic reference frame 54. In this regard, it is first determined at decision block 96 whether or not the dynamic reference frame is visible, via block 98. With the dynamic reference frame 54 visible or in the navigation field and the calibration information provided, the work station 34 and the coil array controller 48, via the navigation probe interface 50 performs the calibration registration 92 functions. In addition to monitoring the dynamic reference frame 54, the fiducial array or landmarks 60 may also be used for image registration.

Once the navigation system 10 has been calibrated and registered, navigation of an instrument, such as the catheter 52 is performed. In this regard, once it is determined at decision block 100 that the catheter 54 is visible or in the navigation field at block 102, an icon representing the catheter 52 is superimposed over the pre-acquired images at block 104. Should it be determined to match the superimposed image of the catheter 52 with the motion of the heart at decision block 106, EKG gating at block 108 is performed. The catheter 52 may then be navigated, via navigation block 110 throughout the anatomical area of interest in the patient 14.

Turning to FIGS. 4-5, an exemplary catheter 52 is shown in further detail. The exemplary catheter, as shown in FIG. 4 a, includes an external flexible body 112 and a proximal handle 114. Positioned within the catheter 52 are the four sensing coils 58 disposed distally in the catheter 52. The localization or sensing coils 58 are multi-layer and multi-turn coils, which are coupled to four sets of twisted pair conductors 116. The catheter 52 further includes a pull wire 118, which is used to control and guide the distal tip 120 of the catheter 52. Extending through the catheter 52 is a central lumen 122 that can be used to deliver and transport cells or drug therapy and leads for cardiac pacemakers. The central lumen 122, shown in FIG. 4 b retains a hypodermic needle 124 that can be used as the delivery instrument. The catheter 52 further includes electrode conductors 126 and an electrode tip ring 128 used to sense various electrical signals from the heart. Other sensors that can be attached to the catheter 52 include multiple electrode sensors, absolute pressure sensors, accelerometers and oxygen saturation sensors. For mapping catheters 52, micro-motion arrays, further discussed herein, may also be embedded to electronically control curvature of the catheter 52 to provide a semi-automated mapping procedure.

Turning to FIG. 5, the axial cross-section of the catheter 52 is shown in further detail. The catheter 52 is again formed from the outer cover 112 that is formed from an extruded polymer having six directional splines 130. An internal extrusion 132 defines six chambers or lumens 134 between the internal extrusion 132 and external extrusion 112. Within four of the chambers 134 are the four twisted pair conductors 116, which are coupled to each of the coils or sensors 58. Located in another chamber 132 are the electrode conductors 126. The pull wire 118 is located in the remaining chamber 132. By adjusting the pull wire 118 along with the torque transferring splines 130, the directional catheter 52 can be positioned and steered as desired. Also, located within the center of the catheter 52 is the lumen 122 housing the hypodermic needle 124 having a central port 136 for passing cells, catheter leads and other items. Further details of the catheter 52, as well as other embodiments of the catheter 52 are set forth in U.S. Ser. No. 10/299,484, entitled “Multi-Lumen Body for Medical Catheter and Leads,” naming as inventors Kenneth Gardeski, Michael Leners and Jesus Casas-Bejar, filed concurrently with this application, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Again, the catheter 52 will include a lumen 122 open on both ends, which allows it to be used to deliver several cardiac therapies (e.g., to implant pacing leads, deliver drugs, to transplant cells into the myocardium, or to perform complex electrophysiological procedures, including ablation).

The navigation system 10 enhances minimally invasive cardiac therapies by making the procedure more intuitive. The catheter 52 can be used to implant pacing leads, perform cell transplantation, deliver drugs or perform ablations. The catheter 52 having navigation guidance, via sensors 58 provides enhanced outcomes by making lead placement more successful in difficult anatomies, by insuring cells are transplanted in the most viable myocardium within the infarct, etc. Moreover, use of the electrocardiogram device 62 enables further gating of the drug deliver and cell delivery at the most optimum times for providing additional capabilities to the navigation system 10. The navigation system 10 can also be applied to non-cardiac therapies, such as neuro-vascular catheters, or oncology drug delivery applications, based on combined PET/CT (functional and anatomical) pre-operative data or pre-operative data from any other bio-imaging system for tumor identification and location. The navigation system 10 can also map on the display 36 the delivery of cell or drug therapy or other therapies that are annotated on 2D, 3D or 4D images or graphic displays. The navigation system 10 may also generate distribution maps on how the cell or drug delivery or other therapies are disbursed through the region of interest, such as the heart. These iso-contours or iso-dose contours display how therapy is disbursed through the tissue. For example, a bullseye type graphic may be displayed on the three-dimensional heart model with different concentric rings having different colors identifying the amount of drug therapy delivered to the noted regions.

The navigation system 10 can also be used and employed in several types of medical procedures and has several improvements and advantages over existing systems. The navigation system 10 provides application and methods for electromagnetic non-line-of-site navigation for catheter delivery of pacing leads. The navigation system 10 includes heuristics that are integrated into the software of the work station 34 to provide an algorithm for locating the coronary sinus, further discussed herein. The navigation system 10 provides for gating or timing of injections for cell transplantation in the infarcted myocardium as a substitute for anchoring. The cell delivery imaging modality is generally utilized as real-time MR. Real time MR allows catheter navigation while visualizing the infarcted region of the heart. Use of pre-operative profusion MR images may also be used to clearly identify the infarct region, along with the quality of the infarct. The navigation system 10 also includes integrated programming functions in the work station 34 that are used to help identify optimum pacing sites, further discussed herein. Also, the navigation system 10 provides a simulated bi-plane or multi-plane fluoroscopy for cardiac applications with one-head systems and also catheter registration to the images, whether fluoroscopic or volume-rendered using MR, CT, and moving surfaces.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a lead implant procedure 138 is shown in detail. While this procedure is described regarding implanting a lead for a pacemaker, it should again be noted that this process can be applied to any type of cardiac therapy as discussed herein, such as angioplasty, stenting, and ablation. The lead placement procedure disclosed herein is designed to reduce the procedure time and reduce the procedure costs and enable a physician to implant a lead quicker, safer and in a more precise location. Delivery catheters 52 are, therefore, very important with cardiac resynchronization therapy. The catheter 52 and fluoroscopic images are used to find and cannulate the coronary sinus. Once cannulated, a lead is delivered through the catheter 52 and into the cardiac veins.

Various types of catheters 52 may be utilized to deliver a lead to the desired cardiac location, via the central port 136 in the hypodermic needle 124. The catheter 52 may include the catheter electrode 128, which could be used to monitor the intra-cardiac electrical signals. Since each region in the heart has characteristic differences, these differences can be used to distinguish which region the catheter tip 120 is placed within the heart. In addition to monitoring intra-cardiac electrical signals, electrical impedance (high and low frequency) may also be monitored, via the electrode 128. This could be monitored continuously to highlight the cardiac impedance cycle. In this regard, it is believed that each region within the heart has an unique cardiac impedance and will have distinct characteristics. The cardiac impedance would, therefore, provide more information to be correlated with the sensors 58 and the catheter 52 in determining the location of the lead tip and can act as an anatomical landmark. The impedance signal could also be used to help determine if the lead is floating or lodged against the heart tissue.

Another type of sensor, which can be placed at the tip of the catheter 52 is an absolute pressure sensor, which can monitor hemo-dynamics. The intra-cardial pressure signal is an important signal in diagnostics and critical care monitoring. As a consequence, the characteristics of the pressure signal are well characterized for each region of the heart. For normal hearts, each region is distinctly characteristic with the sharp transitions between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. Taken with the electrode sensors 58 information, the location of the catheter tip 120 can be determined with a further high degree of confidence. These transition regions between the chambers of the heart could also be used as registration data points for 3-D heart models, further discussed herein.

The fluoro-enhanced implant procedure provides the physician with real-time location information of the catheter 52. An icon representing the catheter 52 is superimposed on the background of a 3-D heart model or atlas model. The electrode and/or pressure sensor information discussed above is used to correctly locate the catheter position within this heart model. In this regard, very specific locations can be searched out to provide reference points within the heart to fit the model space. The transition between regions of the heart are easily identified through changes in the morphology of the electrode and pressure signals. The transition regions are very sharp, making these regions excellent reference points or landmarks for the heart model. The possible reference points include the superior vena cava (SVC) to right atria transition, the tricuspid valve, and the left ventricular apex. As these reference points are located, the heart model is shrunk or stretched and rotated to match these reference points. Normally, the navigation system 10 will automatically locate the reference points by monitoring the electrode and pressure sensors. This results in a visualization of the catheter 52 as it is moved through the heart model. Once the 3-D heart model placement is established, a mapping function can begin or a lead implant site chosen. The 3-D heart model will be scaled and rotated only within physiological bounds. Reference points outside of these bounds will generate an alert and require the physician to resolve the discrepancy.

Turning to FIG. 6, a method or procedure 138 for identifying a lead implant site is illustrated. The procedure 138 includes a landmark identification process 140 that includes n number of steps at block 142, which depends on the number of landmarks needed or recognizable for a particular application. Included in this process 140 is catheter navigation, via block 144, which provides position and orientation information that is measured in real time, via the sensors 58 within catheter 52. As the catheter 52 is navigated, as set forth in block 144, additional data is gathered within the heart, via sensors positioned on the catheter 52 at block 146. As discussed, this additional data can include pressure, temperature, oxygen, impedance and electro-physiological information. By monitoring this additional data at block 146, landmarks or reference points within the heart can be identified and marked on the catheter fluoroscopic images at block 148. The process of collecting the landmarks can be a manual or automatic process by identifying the physical landmarks within the fluoroscopic image, based upon the received data from block 146, that identify distinct points or regions within the heart.

Once the multiple landmarks or reference points are identified in the heart, a 3-D heart model or atlas heart model is superimposed over the fluoroscopic images or modeled as a 3-D volume view by registering or translating the 3-D heart model in relation to the landmarks collected at block 148. This fusion occurs at block 150, which translates, rotates and scales the 3-D heart model, based upon the collected landmarks to provide a patient specific heart model that can be used for various procedures. Again, the heart model can be generated from an atlas model, as set forth in block 152 or it may be generated from an actual physiological image, such as from an MRI or a CT. Once the 3-D model has been scaled and registered to the landmarks, the controller or work station 34 provides navigation and road map information to direct the catheter 52 through the heart to a suggested target site for lead placement at block 154. This target site can be identified on the 3-D model along with a real time view of an icon representing the catheter 52 moving toward the suggested target site. In this regard, the physician would know where the target is on the 3-D map or display 36 and can simply navigate the catheter 52 toward this target. The target site can be based on statistical maps that can suggest where lead placement should take place, depending on the pathology of the patient.

In addition to identifying a potential target site for lead placement, the navigation system 10 can also suggest sites for drug or cell delivery. Alternatively, the catheter 52 can be used as a mapping catheter 52. The position sensors 58 provide real time feedback on the catheter location in 3-D space, which is a requirement for accurate mapping. The mapping procedure is essentially an extension of the fluoro-enhanced implant approach, set forth in FIG. 6. The mapping catheter 52 will be optimized for mapping and/or to implant, but the basic procedure remains the same.

Essentially, the 3-D heart model is calibrated using the same technique as shown in FIG. 6, and the correctly scaled heart model becomes the basis for the initial mapping grid. With a micro-motion catheter, further discussed herein, the catheter is positioned at each mapping site in a semi-autonomous fashion with user intervention as needed. For catheters without micro-motion, the system would highlight on the display 36, the next mapping point, along with the actual catheter position. The user or physician would then manually manipulate or steer the catheter tip 120 to the identified location. Alternatively, the physician or user may choose each location and initiates a mapping measurement for that point. With a single electrode catheter 52, the intrinsic electrical amplitude, pacing threshold, and wall motion (contractility) can be measured. As the mapping progresses, a 3-D diagnostic map of the measured parameters are displayed alongside the 3-D model display. This method of mapping provides the capability of highlighting and detailing a number of heart defects, such as chronic infarct, chronic ischemia, perfusion defect, or aneurism. If a mapping or EP catheter 52 with multiple electrodes is used, such as electrode 128, this mapping system can generate and display inter-cardiac electrical activity and timing, along with exact catheter tip and electrode location in real time. The result is a 3-D electro-anatomical map reconstruction. The applications for this system includes mapping of ventricular and supra-ventricular arrhythmias, mapping of myocardial potential and conduction velocity, and depolarization mapping. Using multiple position sensors 58, with each sensor 58 associated with an electrode on the catheter 52, the navigation system 10 can be used to accurately measure the location of each electrode measurement providing improved mapping accuracy.

In addition to using a guide wire 118 to adjust or steer the catheter 52, micro-motion technology may also be used to precisely steer the catheter in an automated manner. In this regard, selective heating of a shaped memory metal enables and provides the ability to steer the catheter 52 or lead to a precise location. The micro-motion technology applies a VLSI film to a piece of shape memory metal to form an actuator. The VLSI film has a pattern of resistors in the range of 100-300 ohms. The film is attached to the metal and the electrode connections made to the computer controller, such as the work station 34. A small amount of current is applied to one or multiple resistors, which generates a localized heating of the metal. This provides precise steering to a specific location within the heart. Also, a semi-automated mapping procedure can then take place to construct the electro-anatomical maps. In this regard, the micro-motion actuator is used to manipulate the catheter 52 to a desired set of mapping points automatically. With the addition of position sensors 58, real time feedback of the catheter curvature provides improved steering capabilities. Should it be desired, strain gages may also be applied to the actuator to provide additional real time feedback of the curved position. For example, micro-motion technology is available from Micro-Motion Sciences, which provides a controllable and steerable catheter, via the selective heating of a shaped memory metal that passes through the catheter 52. Micro-electron mechanical sensor (MEMS) technology, as well as nano technology may also be utilized for controlling the manipulation and steering of the catheter 52.

Again, fluoro pre-imaging of the patient is initially completed using the imaging system 12. Once completed, the navigation system 10 utilizes a three-dimensional volume rendered or wire frame model of the heart or other soft tissue that is registered to the patient 14. The heart model is scalable, morphed or registered using 2-D and 3-D image techniques to match the fluoro images and measured reference points are determined from the transitional signals on the electrical and pressure sensors associated with the catheter 52. The navigation system 10 then displays the three-dimensional heart model on the display 36. An icon of the catheter 52 is simultaneously displayed in correct relation to the model and fluoro images. As the session begins, the model is positioned based on the known placement of the dynamic reference frame 54 and the fluoro images captured by the imager 12. Once the catheter 52 is in range, it is displayed on the display 36 relative to the rendered heart model. Simultaneously, multiple views of the catheter 52 and heart model are available on the display 36 to aid in visualizing the catheter shape and position within the heart.

During the initial model scaling, the electrical and pressure signals are continuously monitored and displayed. At the transition from the superior vena cava to the right atrium, the electrical and pressure signal morphology changes. This transition is noted by the navigation system 10, along with the catheter position at the time of the transition. This position represents a reference point for the heart model. The heart model is then repositioned to match this reference point. The physician is given full control over this process. If necessary, the physician can manually set any of the heart model reference points. This is accomplished by manually placing the catheter 52 at the desired reference position and selecting the appropriate model reference point. This same process is repeated as the catheter 52 passes the tricuspid valve and into the right ventricle. This transition point marks an additional reference point for the model. At these reference positions, the model is stretched, rotated, and aligned to match the reference locations. A third reference point is the left ventricular apex. At this point, the physician should be able to easily manipulate the catheter 52 into the apex or mark this as a reference point.

At this point, the navigation system 10 displays a very accurate visual representation of the catheter placement within the heart model. The visual feedback allows the position and orientation of the catheter 52 to be manipulated with a high degree of confidence and accuracy. The 3-D model includes statistical atlas information that can be provided to the physician for improved outcome. The potential implant sites can be tested for good electrical characteristics and optimal sites selected. The catheter 52 is then used to guide the lead to the chosen site. A final fluoroscopic image can then be taken to assess excessive lead motion and lead tension.

It should also be noted that as long as the dynamic reference frame 54 is not moved, the catheter 52 can be re-introduced without needing to rescale the 3-D heart model. The calibration of the heart model is maintained. In this same way, a secondary catheter could be introduced with no loss and accuracy. Once the 3-D heart model is scaled and positioned, it remains accurate throughout the procedure.

Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary image 156 that is displayed on display 36 is illustrated. In the image 156, an icon 157 representing the position and location of the catheter 52 is shown navigating through the superior vena cava. In order to provide a road map to guide or suggest a possible path for the catheter 52, a target 158 may be illustrated and superimposed onto the pre-acquired image, as shown at reference numeral 158. At this specific landmark 158, data can either be manually or automatically downloaded from other sources, such as the catheter, lead, or pacemaker programmer to create a hyperlink with this virtual annotated landmark 158. By a simple mouse click (red arrow 160), all available data could be displayed by a pop-up window 162. This data includes information, such as temperature, pressure, oxygen level, or electro-physiological signals, as shown in windows 162. As such, a user or physician would simply refer to the virtual annotated landmarks 158 in the particular view and click on that landmark 158 to obtain the physiological information at that particular site. The catheter 52 will thus gather, store, and download data on patient morphology, electrical thresholds and other implant parameters that can be stored for later review.

The catheter 52 may also optionally be fitted with a fiberoptic imaging sensor. Fiberoptic imaging technology is available, for example, from Cardio Optics of Boulder, Colo., which enables a catheter to view the heart and heart structures continuously through blood. This enables the physician or user to have an additional view of what is in front of the catheter 52, which can be displayed on display 36.

Turning to FIG. 8, an additional exemplary image 164 that is displayed on display 36 is illustrated. The image 164 includes an icon 166, representing the position and location of the catheter 52. The icon 166 has an enlarged probe diameter as compared to the icon 157, shown in FIG. 7. This probe diameter of the icon 166 representing the catheter 52 is adjusted by way of probe diameter adjustment switches 168. By pressing the “+” button of the probe 40. diameter switches 168, the probe diameter increases. Conversely, by pressing the “−” button, the probe diameter decreases. This enables the surgeon to adjust the probe diameter to a desired size providing further or enhanced visualization of the surgical procedure.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an exemplary image 170 that is displayed on display 36 is illustrated. The image 170 includes an icon 172 representing the location and position of the catheter 52. The icon 172 further includes a straight projection portion 174 that projects straight along the direction of the first sensor 58 within the catheter 52. This straight projection 174 represents a straight projected trajectory of the catheter 52. The length of the projected icon portion 174 may be adjusted via projected length switches 176. Here again, the “+” button lengthens the straight projected icon 174, while the “−” button shortens the projected length of the icon 174. This estimated straight trajectory enables the surgeon to determine where the catheter 52 is traveling and how far or how much travel is necessary to reach a desired target along a straight path.

Turning now to FIG. 10, an exemplary image 178 that is displayed on display 36 is illustrated. The image 178 includes an icon 180 representing the position and location of the catheter 52. The image 178 further includes a spline or curved projection 182, which is based upon the shape of the curved catheter 52, shown as icon 180. Here again, the projected length of the spline projection 182 is controlled by way of the projected length switches 176. This estimated curve projection enables the surgeon to determine where the catheter 52 will travel if the catheter 52 continues along its curved trajectory, further providing enhanced features for the surgeon navigating the catheter 52. The estimated curve is determined by use of known curve fitting algorithms that are adjustable based upon the type of catheter used and based upon the flexibility and material of the catheter 52. This enables estimated curved trajectories of the catheter 52 to be displayed to assist the user.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the method or procedure 184 for navigating the catheter 52 to the coronary sinus region of the heart is illustrated. The procedure 184 begins at block 186, where the catheter navigation system 10 is set up. This set up includes connecting all of the appropriate hardware within the navigation system 10, as well as activating the various computers within the system 10. Once the navigation system 10 is set up at block 186, the procedure 184 proceeds to acquire an empty image at block 188. The acquisition of the empty image of the block 188 is similar to the calibration process 68, shown in FIG. 3. In this regard, an x-ray is taken by the imaging device 12 where intrinsic calibration is performed on this empty image to calibrate the imaging device 12. Radiation sensor 24 senses when the x-ray process has taken place at block 190. The resulting empty x-ray image is shown on display 36 and illustrated at block 192, which illustrates the calibration and tracking target 22. Again, the calibration process is an optimal process depending on the medical procedure conducted or depending on the type of imaging system 12.

Once the navigation system 10 has been calibrated, the patient 14 is positioned within the imaging device 12 to capture various views of the patient 14. At block 194, an anterior/posterior anatomic image of the patient 14 is acquired by the imaging device 12. The image acquisition at block 194 may be gated via block 196 using the EKG 62 to trigger when the acquisition of the anterior/posterior image is acquired. The image acquisition may also be gated by any other physiological event. The anterior/posterior anatomic image of the coronary sinus region is shown at display 198. Once the anterior/posterior image is acquired at block 194, the lateral anatomic image of the patient 14 is acquired at block 200. Again, this image acquisition at block 200 may be gated, via block 196. The lateral image is shown in display block 202.

Once the anterior/posterior anatomic image is acquired at block 194 and the lateral anatomic image is acquired at block 200, the procedure 184 proceeds to block 204 where the acquired images are activated. In this regard, each image is displayed on display 36 as is shown in blocks 198 and 202. Once the images have been activated at block 204, the procedure proceeds to block 206, where the catheter 52 is navigated to the coronary sinus. To assist in this navigation of the catheter 52, atlas, template and additional information, via block 208 may be provided. The atlas information may include registering a three-dimensional atlas heart model, as shown in FIG. 12, similar to the way discussed in FIG. 6, to assist in navigating the catheter 52 to the coronary sinus. Templates may also be superimposed over the images 198 and 202 or over the three-dimensional heart model to provide a map for steering and guiding the catheter 52 through the coronary sinus region. The additional information provided at block 208 can also include an algorithm that is designed to direct the surgeon through various steps suggesting where the surgeon should be looking to guide the catheter 52 through the coronary sinus region. These steps may include providing various guide points within the template that identify on the display 36 where the catheter 52 should be navigated. As the catheter 52 reaches a particular suggested guide point, the system 10 can then prompt the surgeon to then go to the next guide point, thereby providing a roadmap to the surgeon through the coronary sinus region. The algorithm for locating the coronary sinus can increase the accuracy of pacing lead placement significantly, thereby providing reduced surgical time and increased accuracy and efficiency.

Finally, referring to FIG. 12, an image 210 illustrating a three-dimensional atlas heart model 212 is illustrated. In the image 210, an icon 214 of the catheter 52 is illustrated passing through the heart model 212 to a cell delivery region 216. The region 216 can be highlighted on the heart model 212 to guide the surgeon to a particular region of the heart and, in this example, for cell delivery therapy. Again, the heart model 212 can also be used for any other cardiac procedure to assist the surgeon during pacing lead placement, ablation, stenting, etc.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An image guided catheter navigation system for guiding a catheter through a region of a patient, said navigation system comprising: an imaging device operable to generate image data of the region of the patient; a tracking device operable to track the position of the catheter in the region of the patient; a controller in communication with said imaging device and said tracking device and operable to superimpose an icon representing the catheter onto the image data of the region of the patient based upon the position tracked by said tracking device; a display operable to display the image data of the region of the patient with the superimposed icon of the catheter, wherein said catheter provides a function to the region of the patient; and a statistical atlas accessible by said controller; wherein said controller is operable to identify a suggested pacing lead site based at least in part on the statistical atlas that is fit to the generated image data of the region of the patient.
 2. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein said imaging device is selected from a group comprising a C-arm fluoroscopic imager, a magnetic resonance imager (MRI), a computed tomography (CT) imager, and a positron emission tomography (PET) imager, an isocentric fluoroscopy imager, a bi-plane fluoroscopy imager, an ultrasound imager, a multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) imager, a high-frequency ultrasound (HIFU) imager, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imager, an intra-vascular ultrasound imager (IVUS), a 2D, 3D or 4D ultrasound imager, an intra-operative CT imager, an intra-operative MRI imager, and a single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) imager.
 3. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein said tracking device is selected from a group comprising an electromagnetic tracking device, an optical tracking device, a conductive tracking device, a fiberoptic tracking device, and a combination thereof.
 4. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein said imaging device is a C-arm fluoroscopic x-ray imaging device operable to generate multiple two-dimensional images of the region of the patient.
 5. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein said tracking device is an electromagnetic tracking device having a transmitter coil array operable to generate an electromagnetic field in the region of the patient and a plurality of sensors associated with the catheter operable to sense the electromagnetic field.
 6. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 5 wherein said transmitter coil array is affixed to said imaging device or transmitter coil array is positioned within an OR table where the patient is positioned.
 7. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein said tracking device is integrated into said imaging device.
 8. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a catheter that is operable to deliver a pacing lead to the heart.
 9. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the function of the catheter is selected from a group comprising cardiac lead placement, cardiac drug delivery, cardiac gene delivery, cardiac cell transplantation, cardiac ablation, and cardiac electrical mapping.
 10. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a gating device operable to detect a physiological event of the patient to generate a physiological signal.
 11. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 10 wherein position of the catheter is detected at a substantially same point in time with respect to said physiological signal.
 12. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 10 wherein said imaging device generates image data gated by the physiological signal.
 13. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein said controller is further operable to superimpose the icon of the catheter onto a three-dimensional heart model and said display is operable to display the three-dimensional heart model with the superimposed icon.
 14. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a dynamic reference frame in communication with said tracking device, said dynamic reference frame operable to identify movement of the patient relative to said tracking device.
 15. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 14 wherein said dynamic reference frame is an external dynamic reference frame attached to the patient.
 16. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 14 wherein said dynamic reference frame is an internal dynamic reference frame attached to the region of the patient.
 17. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 14 further comprising a plurality of landmarks positioned on the patient and operable to register the image data to the position of the catheter.
 18. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 17 wherein said plurality of landmarks is selected from a group comprising artificial landmarks positioned on the patient and anatomical landmarks on the patient.
 19. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein said catheter includes at least one sensor selected from a group comprising an electrical sensor, a pressure sensor and an impedance sensor.
 20. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein said controller is further operable to identify physical landmarks within a heart of the patient as the catheter is navigated through the heart of the patient.
 21. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 20 wherein said controller is further operable to generate a three-dimensional heart model to be displayed on said display and is further operable to register the three-dimensional heart model in relation to the landmarks identified by said controller.
 22. The image guided catheter navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the catheter is a steerable catheter having a plurality of tracking sensors operable to be tracked by said tracking device.
 23. A method for image guiding a catheter in a region of a patient, said method comprising: displaying an image of the region of the patient; navigating the catheter using a tracking device associated with the catheter through the region of the patient; detecting a location of the catheter in the region of the patient including sensing a field with a tracking system; displaying the location of the catheter on the image of the region of the patient by superimposing an icon of the catheter on the image; performing a function with the catheter when the catheter reaches a desired location; receiving a cyclic physiological signal; time gating the detection of the location of the catheter to a particular time in the cyclic physiological signal such that the location of the catheter is detected at the same point in time with respect to the physiological signal for each cycle; identifying landmarks within the region based upon a sensed physiological condition; registering a three-dimensional heart model with the identified landmarks to provide a patient specific three-dimensional heart model; and providing a statistical atlas operable to define at least a portion of the three-dimensional heart model; wherein registering a three-dimensional heart model with the identified landmarks includes registering the statistical atlas to the patient specific three-dimensional heart model.
 24. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising attaching a pacing lead to a heart upon navigating the catheter to the desired location.
 25. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising delivering a drug to a heart upon navigating the catheter to the desired location.
 26. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising transplanting cells with the catheter upon navigating the catheter to the desired location.
 27. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising ablating a portion of a cardiac region with the catheter upon navigating the catheter to the desired location.
 28. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising sensing physiological conditions in a cardiac region with the catheter.
 29. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising identifying a potential lead target site on the three-dimensional heart model and navigating the catheter to the potentential lead target site.
 30. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising generating the image of the region of the patient by use of an imaging device selected from the group comprising a C-arm fluoroscopic imager, a magnetic resonance imager (MRI), a computed tomography (CT) imager, and a positron emission tomography (PET) imager, an isocentric fluoroscopy imager, a bi-plane fluoroscopy imager, an ultrasound imager, a multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) imager, a high-frequency ultrasound (HIFU) imager, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imager, an intra-vascular ultrasound imager (IVUS), a 2D, 3D, or 4D ultrasound imager, an intra-operative CT imager, an intra-operative MRI imager, and a single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) imager.
 31. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising calibrating the image of the region of the patient during a calibration process.
 32. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising: time gating the generation of the image in the region of the patient to a particular time in the cyclic physiological signal, such that the image is detected at the same point in time with respect to the physiological signal for each cycle.
 33. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising detecting a location of the catheter in the region of the patient by use of an electromagnetic tracking system.
 34. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising adjusting a diameter of the icon of the catheter displayed upon the image.
 35. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising projecting a straight trajectory of the catheter by displaying a straight icon extending from the icon of the catheter.
 36. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising projecting a spline trajectory of the catheter by displaying a curved icon extending from the icon of the catheter.
 37. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising navigating the catheter through a coronary sinus region of a heart by acquiring an anterior/posterior anatomic image of the patient and a lateral anatomic image of the patient.
 38. The method as defined in claim 37 further comprising employing a three-dimensional heart model to navigate the catheter to the coronary sinus region of the heart.
 39. The method as defined in claim 38 further comprising providing guide points on the three-dimensional heart model to assist the surgeon in guiding the catheter through the coronary sinus region of the heart.
 40. The method of claim 23, further comprising: attaching a dynamic reference frame internally to a wall of the patient's heart; and maintaining the registration of the three-dimensional heart model.
 41. A method of navigating a catheter in a patient via a display and tracking system, comprising: collecting image data of a region of the patient; accessing a pre-acquired model formed with statistical data of the region of a subject other than the patient; registering the pre-acquired model to the collected image data of the region of the patient at least in part by matching points in the accessed pre-acquired model with points in the collected image data; tracking the catheter relative to the region of the patient; and displaying an icon representative of the catheter relative to the collected image data that is registered to the pre-acquired model.
 42. The method of claim 41, further comprising: determining a physiological characteristic of the patient; wherein tracking the catheter occurs a plurality of instances at the same phase of the physiological characteristic.
 43. The method of claim 41, further comprising: suggesting a pacing lead site and illustrating the suggested pacing lead site on a three-dimensional heart model formed by registration of the pre-acquired model to the collected image data of the region of the patient.
 44. The method of claim 41, further comprising: suggesting a pacing lead site; and illustrating the suggested pacing lead site on a generated three-dimensional heart model formed by registering the pre-acquired model to the image data of the patient. 